The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-10-23

his duties and the evidence he gave even at that
early day, of the sterling worth OF his character,
so impressed Mr.. Otis that he became his fast
friend, aiding him in his studies in every pos
sible way, and finally loaning him money 10
enable him to enter the Cam bridge Law School.
In the spring of 1910 Mr.. Wasnburn emigrated
TO the West, settling at Gaieua. III. He entered
into the campaign OF that year with spirit. as an
advocate of the election OF Harrison. and
his services were OF such character
that they added greatly to his reputation
and were the means of bringing him considera-
bic practice lawyer. His first appearance
as public manuscript upon the hustines,
was in 1874, as a delegate TO the Wing national
convention. which nominated Mr.. Clay, to
whose political fortunes Mr.. Washourne warm
" attached himself In 1893 ne was candi-
date for Congress. but was defeated. the Demo
Gratis having decided plurality of the vote of
the district. Four years later. however, a COM
bnation of Wings and Free-soilers elected him
to the Thirty-third Congress. So satisfactorily
did he serve his constituents in the House that
thenceforward the district became solid for him,
and he was reelected to each succeed
Thirty-ninth. His services in Congress,
where he served the committees
commerce and appropriations. were of excep-
tional value He the uncom promising op-
ponent of all subsidies to corporations of the
log rolling river and harbor appropriation bills.
and of extravagant appropriations for public
buildings and other expenditures which be re-
garded as indirect robbery of the people. He
was long known as the Watchdog of the Treas
ury," then not the meaningless title it has since
become. In the Thirty-eighth Congress ne &C
Quired the title, by reason of long and continu-
Gus service, of Father of the House.. During
the dark days of the Rebellion he rendered
valuable aid to the Union cause. He was init
mately associated with President Lincoln, and
personal friendship. as we'll as devoted patriot
ism. led him him to assist with all the zeal
and frmness of his character, in the
passage of the measures necessary to the sue
cessfui prosecution of the war. He early took
General then Colone) Grant. and it
through his influence that President Lincoln
appointed Grant the senior brlgadier-eenerai
from Illinois. His attachment to. and confidence
in. General Grant. never wavered, and it was
he who introduced, and was mainly instru-
mental in securing the passage Of the bill Gre
distinguished soldier. On his accession to the
presidency, General Grant-who was never
known to neglect friend or forget a friendly
service-sought to reward his steadfast cham
pion by the tender of the chief place in his Cab
met This Mr. Washburne accepted. but 8
short trial of IT'S arduous duties convinced him
that the strain upon him would be more than he
could bear. and. acting upon the advice OF his
physician. he resigned the Office.
Still intent upon honoring his friend. Presi
dent Grant offered to Mr.. Washburne the post
of minister to France which ne accepted. doubt
less little dreaming of the almost unprecedented
task which was to fall upon him in the discharge
of his new duties.
Soon after thu arrival of Mr.. Washburns in
Paris the war between France and Germany
broke out, and when the Prussian ambassador
left Paris the archives of the bassy were left
in the of Mr.. Washburne, who from that
time until the close of the war was virtually the
German ambassador as we'll as the American
minister to France In this new field Mr..
Washburne displayed such diplomatic abilities
as have rarely been surpassed. Through his
efforts the 10000 German residents of Paris
were allowed to pass safely out of the country to
their homes in the fatherland, and such of
them had been imprisoned by the
French government were released and allowed
to join their compatriots in the hegira from
French soil. Mr.. Washburne also called
upon To discharge many friendly Offices for
subjects of other powers, and when the city was
besieged and the Commune erected its unholy
altar upon the ruins of France (he being the only
foreign ambassador left in the city) such calls
upon him became of very frequent occurrence.
Yet through all this trying time he displayed
such rare tact and delicacy that. while defend
ing and befriendng foreigners. OF many Europe
an and American nations. he avoided giving
offense to the ruling powers His conduct
throughout this memorable cart of his career
marked him as diplomatic of remarkable skill
and ability. So highly were his services appre
arch bestowed upon him the Order of the Red
Eage-one of the highest in his gift. The be-
stowal of this order was accom-
panied by personal letter from the
Emperor, expressing his gratitude and esteem.
The Emperor also sent. at the same time.
oil painting of himself and a jeweled star of
number of other European and South American
states were prompt in making acknowledgment
to MIR. Washburne of their sense of gratitude
for services rendered in behalf of their subjects.
After a residence of nearly nine years in Paris,
Mr.. Washburne returned home. having not only
secured, as he had earned. tho highest esteem OF
his own government and fellow-countrymen,
but also the good will and respect of France,
and the gratitude of all other nations with
whose people and represen tatives he had been
brought in contact during his diplomatic career.
In the campaign of 1880, Mr.. Washburne was
an avowed candidate for the presidential nomi-
nation. out with this exception, since his return
from abroad, he has appeared before the
public His later years have been spent in the
quiet of his elegant home. with his BOOB
paintings. engravings and art treaaures. VIII b
he had accumulated during long, busy AL
useful life.